Really disappointing. The meet up point changed that morning via email when we were already on our way. Just lucky to see it. Then the maximum number was meant to be 10 but it was a group of 12 and the guide whist she spoke English was very hard to understand.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Guided walking tour with an English-speaking local expert.
- Photo Opportunities throughout
Excludes
- Food, drinks, and personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- JR Nippori station North Ticket Gate (Outside the ticket gate next to “NewDays” convenience store) Please do not be late. Our guide cannot make other guests to wait long for the late guests.
Itinerary
You will see "Yanaka Budda", which is created in 1690 and listen to the history of the temple. The history tells you interesting aspects of Japanese religion.
You will walk into the cemetery and will learn what a Japanese cemetery is like and some customs that locals follow.
Have a break at Ueno Sakuragi Atari. About 80-year-old wooden houses were renovated into a cafe, a bakery, and a beer hall and became a community space for locals. You will see the site where the traditional lifestyle has adapted to the modern lifestyle.
It is a 100-year-old cyder tree and the symbol in Yanaka.
Not a typical Buddhist god but a god of strong legs is enshrined in this temple. Wishes of people with a foot problem are written on a lot of wooden boards.
You can see a lot of red Torii gates like Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto and can take a lot of photos at this most beautiful Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Also, you will learn some etiquettes in a shrine.
"Hebimichi" is a back street in the residential area. You will see Japanese daily life up close.
The local guide will explain about the shopping street and shops to see the normal Japan lifestyle. You can try some local foods and sweets (Food fee is not included in the price)
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Mami was an amazing guide, she was knowledgeable and I got to learn a lot about the history of temples, cementaries and she even thought is how to ask for a wish for good fortune. She was so patient, she recommended me to place my bag in the locker at the train station, and she stayed with me until the end because I misplaced the ticket, she helped me retrieve my items! One of the sweetest people I've met in Tokyo . Her knowledge on Shinto and Buddhism was very appreciated. She took us to beautiful shrines in this three hour! You won't be disappointed, its a different side of Tokyo that one must not forget when visiting Tokyo
The extras and inputs to questions a little outside the normal tour made for a very unique experience.
Our local guide Junko was delightful and shared her extensive knowledge of Yanaka with us. The 3 hours passed very quickly and was well paced. Definitely worthwhile.
A really fascinating tour - through the tiny, twisting streets of old Tokyo with temples, shrines and their cemeteries as well old houses and local shops off the big tourist trail. Junko was an excellent guide - she lives locally, knows the area and its history well, and has a lovely manner. Highly recommended!
Excellent guide Kiyo, very knowledgeable, took time to answer all questions. I learned a lot. Thanks
We had a lovely tour with Mami. We enjoyed the seeing the old town and even the cemetery was very interesting. She explained proper shrine and temple etiquette at Tennoji temple. The break at a local shop was not our favorite as there was not much to see and it was too tiny a shop for the group ( would have rathered to stop on final Main Street). Mami was wonderful and answered questions easily and her English was great. Highly recommend.
We enjoyed our tour of the Yanaka area of Tokyo and our guide Rei enthusiastically shared her love and knowledge of the area.It was great to see how people and businesses coexist amongst the cemeteries, temples and shrines, and coming across the owl cafe was an unexpected bonus.
Strolling through the neighborhoods in the old city is fun to see how people live. Lots of interesting cafés and coffee shops.
We booked this afternoon experience in Tokyo to see an older part of this amazing city. We were guided by Polina, she was very informative and friendly, her English was very good. We enjoyed the walking tour very much.
Joiko was a great guide showing us around her neighborhood in Yanaka. We loved seeing all the temples and shrines.
Our guide Kiyo did a wonderful job of explaining the traditions and lifestyle of this older neighborhood. It was such a great contrast to the rest of Toyko. Would definitely recommend this walking tour
Mei was a great guide and the tour was very informative.
Very enjoyable and informative. The guide gave us good insights to the culture and religion.
Lovely guide, no fault on her at all. There was just not a lot of things to see or learn about for such a long walk. Maybe shorten the route and add more information/culture at each stop.
Hard to understand guide. At the rest/beer stop not enough time to order a beer. Left after order, but before beer was delivered Later learned there were other options for a snack.
We went on this tour on a thursday. Pickup location was very clear. Our tour guide was Kiyo who has a lot of knowledge of the Yanaka area. We visited multiple shrines and Kiyo explained about the religions, Gods and how to pray. She also brought us to visit the old buildings that survived the second world war bombings. She included picture cards to make explanations more clear and had no issues making pictures if asked. One of the buildings is the old Sake store old Yoshida-ya. There is a stamp there for the stamp collectors. The tour also visited the Nezu shrine. If you collect stamps you can get one there as well for 1000yen. Our tour ended Yanaka ginza shopping street where we also got recommended places to eat. Do be prepared that it is a three hours walking your in an area that has hills and you are seeing a lot in a relative short amount of time so little time to rest.
Our guide Wakana was friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Wonderful tour.
Junko was a local who provided a lovely experience & a wealth of knowledge both historically and culturally. Enjoyed her sense of humor as well
This was a walking tour with several stops in Yanaka, including a tiny bakery, shrines, shops, and the oldest cemetery in Tokyo. Wanaka, our guide, included a lot of very interesting cultural and historical info during the tour. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour!
Mei is a great guide. A tour covering history, architecture, and family and social life in Tokyo, in a much less crowded and hectic area of the city. Great old buildings. Great temples and shopping streets. Recommended.
Wanaka was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and very friendly and accomodating to our needs. She took us to several very unexpected and interesting places
Ayaka was so lovely and very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed our time with her walking along the old town. Five stars out of five !!!! Highly recommend this tour and Ayaka!
This tour was amazing! Highly recommended it
What an excellent tour we did today with Junko seeing the lovely district of Yanaka. Even though it drizzled the whole time we still enjoyed the wander though this old traditional part of Tokyo. Junko had really clear English and wonderful explanations of what we were seeing. The Tori gates of Nezu Shrine and its gorgeous surrounds was an absolute highlight. Finish up with a wander down snake st and Yanaka shopping street to the famous steps to end our fabulous tour.
Junko was a very informative tour guide who helped us explore the Yanaka area, showing many places we wouldn’t have found on our own. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon.
We made a very good tour of Yanaka. Our guide Mami took us through the small street and personalized the visit with details of life in the area.
Rei was lovely. She answered all our questions and made the tour very enjoyable, even in the rain. We learned a lot about the history of Yanaka and visited Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
Paulina led us on a voyage of discovery through the Yanaka district of Taito City, one of most centrally located component cities within the massive, greater Tokyo metropolitan region, starting from Nippori Station, a few clicks north of Ueno. It was a genuine and very refreshing eye-opener to discover where and how ordinary Tokyo citizens live in low-build, human-scale neighbourhoods within what we had assumed was an endless expanse of skyscrapers: Yanaka is graced with verdant views to please the eye, quaint and quirky corners: its the Tokyo few tourists ever see, but the one where the locals really live. Ten out of ten! Sabine and Pat from Ireland
Our guide Wankanda was exceptional. She was able to talk about all aspects of the walking tour and much more around the general culture of Japan.
Great tour! Was our first exposure to shrines and temples. Yanaka was knowledgeable and a great tour guide. Would definitely recommend the experience.
It was a great experience! The walk was manageable and enjoyable, even with a yound child. Wakana was very knowledgeable! Would recommend 10/10.
Miyu San was very personable, and she showed interest with those in attendance. Her knowledge in the regions charms and history was also beruyly informative and helpful.
Great tour that let us explore a beautiful neighborhood in Tokyo which we would otherwise have missed. Wakana, our guide, was amazing in guiding us through both the history and the current way of life in Yanaka. She also gave precious tips about food and other activities.
A very interesting, engaging tour. Our guide was great. (I can’t remember her name, but she is fluent in English, French, and Japanese.)
Great! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, polite, and was willing to help us with taking pictures
Gray was a great guide - good job!
Very good too hot for mid summer
Really great tour and so worth the money! It makes a big difference having a knowledgeable guide, I felt like I could really learn about the history and context of the sites we were visiting. I did have a hard time finding the meet up spot, so I would recommend planning to arrive early in order to make sure you can find your guide.
Excellently paced tour despite the heat! Mami was informative and friendly, and also helped us with some nice photos! Thank you
Mami was very personable and knowledgeable. She took great care of us as she showed us her local neighbourhood. If you’re looking for a relaxed walking tour with beautiful architecture, culture and history, this is the one.
Mami was so lovely and knowledgeable. Thank you for the adventure!
Very lovely guide! Yoshie was very nice and learned us a lot of new things of Japan as tourists! Would definitely recommend. We had a great time!
It was very detailed and learnt a lot during this tour. Many thanks to Mei-san who guided us and was very knowledgeable! The price was reasonable too. There were lots of walking and we stopped at few place to have a bit of rest. Best for people who are fit and has energy.
Junko was a fantastic tour guide! This was a fantastic walking tour with lots of variety. A great way to start our day in Tokyo
Our tour guide Mamie was amazing and so knowledgeable. We had a beautiful day exploring the local temples and shrines. This was definitely the highlight of my time in Tokyo
Junko was amazing. She’s a local to the area and shared so much history about the city. The cemetery area, was beautiful and a must see.
interesting tour with Junko around the old district of Yanaka. Junko was a great guide and took the time to explain things clearly and answer all our questions.
Our guide Rei was personable, fun and full of knowledge. As we moved from temple to shrine she explained the unique embrace that Japan has for the Shinto and Buddhist religions. We also stopped in at charming brew-pub and hidden away shopping district- which opened all of our minds to the charms of the Yanaka district. A wonderful tour in every possible way!
This was a great first tour in Tokyo for us to learn about Old Tokyo and take in a variety of sites. Our guide Kiyo was very friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. The tour was well-organized and well-paced… but be prepared to walk a lot! Kiyo did give us ample resting points in the shade though, while explaining some of the sites. Sign up… you won’t be disappointed.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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